kadal
/ˈkadal/
The Indonesian word for lizard is kadal.
kadal is a noun used to refer to the reptile generally.
Meaning: reptile (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The IPA pronunciation is /ˈkadal/.
Did you know?
- The word kadal is often used in Indonesian slang to describe someone who is slippery, elusive or untrustworthy.
- The word kadal likely traces its roots back to the Sanskrit word godhā, which specifically referred to monitor lizards.
- In traditional Javanese folklore, certain types of kadal are associated with myths about transformation and disguise.
Examples in context
- Komodo adalah kadal terbesar di dunia.The Komodo dragon is the world's largest lizard.This sentence is useful for learning about the Komodo dragon and its classification as a kadal.Tatoeba #10078674 by HAGNi, translation #6060338 by Hybrid
- Itu kadal.That's a lizard.This sentence is useful for identifying a single kadal.Tatoeba #12900812 by HAGNi, translation #12896788 by rul
- Tadi pagi aku melihat cicak di atas tembok rumahku.This morning, I saw a lizard on my house wall.
- Ada kadal kecil di pohon itu.There is a small lizard on that tree.
Example conversation
Rian and Sari are walking in a garden.
- RianLihat, ada kadal di sana.Look, there is a lizard over there.
- SariWah, dia bergerak sangat cepat.Wow, it moves very fast.
- RianJangan sampai dia mendekat ke kita.Don't let it come close to us.
- SariIya, ayo kita pergi saja.Yes, let's just go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lizard” translations and entries kadal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kadal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
